Why Do Women Gamble?

In the book “The Complete Gamester” gaming is given this description “Gaming is an enchanting witchery”. When I saw this description I immediately agreed and thought how apt it was. In my mind were images of the person with this terrible addiction standing in front of a poker machine, totally consumed by its power and that there seemed little choice left as to whether or not, they would continue. My other response was to think of the devastating effects of gambling on not only the person with the gambling addiction but there family and friends. The second part of this description goes on to say; “gotten betwixt idleness and avarice” I had to actually find the meaning to this section. I was annoyed by what I found; I thought it to be harsh. The book was published in 1674. In the year 2003 what has changed? I sense, to those who have no understanding of the addiction to gambling, the above would be very appropriate. To those with the addiction it is possibly this very depiction that the gambler has of them selves and believes it to be, what everyone else thinks of them also, this very attitude stops women from seeking help.

Women with gambling problems are now presenting far more than was anticipated (University of Western Sydney). If we look at the reasons given why women become addicted to gambling, we see that the second part of this description is extremely harsh, 70 percent of escape gamblers are women, only 10 percent of women are action gamblers. The primary reasons for women gambling are to, minimise feelings of loneliness, escape mentally and emotionally from past or current traumas and unresolved grief, escape physically from chronic pain or other health conditions, avoid conflict, abuse at home, or to relieve stress or tension in other areas of her life and lastly to win money.

Women who have become problem gamblers may have gambled socially for years without trouble. A change in her lifestyle though, due to the loss of a partner through death or separation, children leaving home, suddenly her role as a mother changes perhaps having never worked, she may have devoted her life to raising her children and is unable to cope with feeling of worthlessness, or other lifestyle changes and the enchantment of the poker machine takes over. They are drawn to the numbing affect of the poker machine and the relief that it brings from the pain they may be feeling. The stress of bringing children up alone, as well as trying to hold down a job and maintain a home along with possible isolation from family and friends adds to this burden. This feeling of loneliness brings its own sense of desperation. It could be a sense of power not felt in any other area of her life at work or at home, she may be treated as incompetent and less than qualified, the sense of freedom at having her own time her own space. Having little support, either emotionally or physically and tyring to cope with the ever mounting debt, increases the sense of hopelessness and can lead to attempts of suicide. Women have also stated that the influx of poker machines and availability is another reason for the sudden rise in the numbers of women gambling, there is also the belief that it is socially acceptable, that the venue is safe and the female can as attend alone. In many rural areas, other forms of entertainment are scarce and the local club or pub is all that is available.

What is it that keeps women from seeking help? Often it is the overwhelming sense of shame and guilt, fear of reprisals from a dominating partner or the belief that there is no problem as gambling is seen as socially acceptable. Service providers do not always address the unique needs and issues women face and a lot of women find the services that are available can be judgmental and degrading. Finding help can also be confusing and overwhelming. omen want services that have women staff available and, a is one single access point making access to other services simpler.

I believe we all want to feel accepted, loved and valued. I believe that those services offering an environment that is warm, safe and supportive, are of most assistance. Realising that we are all made up of many parts and accepting each of them can be a truly enriching experience, being told to think another way, or made to feel that what you feel is wrong or not acceptable, does not take away that nagging feeling deep inside. Questioning those feelings, being curious as to the effect they have on a person and how they help to support us each day, is a valuable experience in growth and change.

In John Powell’s book “Why Am I So Afraid to tell You Who I Am” this passage touched me deeply, “if I tell you who I am, you might not like me and its all I have”. Is this not our greatest fear? To be rejected? To believe that you should be something that you are not? Or, that you are not what others want or expect you to be? So often a mask is worn. For the gambling addicted women, the place in front of the poker machine maybe the place she escapes, to take down the mask and be who she wants to be or, escapes from being who she does not.

Karen Richardson -Project Officer, More To Life—Women and Gambling

References:

Bourke, J Women and Gambling, The Women’s Addiction Foundation Available at http://www.womenfdn.org/resources/info/gambling.htm

Breen,H and Hing,N (2002) Reference paper, An Empirical Study of Sex Differences in Gaming Machine Play Among Club Members

Powell,J(1969) Why Am I So Afraid To Tell You Who I Am, Argus Communications, Illonois

This information was produced with funding support from the NSW Department for Women. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department for Women.

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Disclaimer - The opinions expressed in this website are not necessarily those held by the Gambling Impact Society (NSW) Inc. No responsibility will be accepted for anything that may occur as a result of anyone relying on the information and opinions contained in the website.

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